The world’s desire for plastic bags and bottles seems insatiable, but the planet is choking on plastic waste. What can be done to turn the tide and engineer solutions? Through guides, case studies and webinars we explore inventive means of tracking and recycling plastic waste in the world’s underserved communities.
Thought leaders worldwide share ideas for converting plastic waste to energy, incentives for recycling through small business creation, tracking waste in the ocean through citizen science and, broadening the scope to global environmental health, solutions to mitigate global warming.
What can be done when communities struggle with a growing plastic problem?
"You're using too much plastic. Every year, a profuse amount of plastic garbage, like straws, wrappers, and bags, are thrown away. In fact, the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills each year could circle the earth four times. Shockingly, a lot of this waste piles up in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Ocean. Of all the garbage in the patch, 'it is estimated that 92 percent of the mass is large plastic objects.'”
- Jane Goodall's Good For All News
What can rural communities in Guyana do to handle mounds of plastic bottles in their trash? “Plastic waste is a huge problem for Guyana,” Scott Stadum,...
Communities in emerging economies can convert their waste plastic into a fuel oil that can be used as a drop-in substitute for diesel or kerosene. The University of Kentucky...
Social ventures and aid organizations are pushing the limits of extremely low-cost and durable technologies to develop increasingly better products that process plastic waste. Many such innovations have a place in the E4C Solutions Library, a living database of products and services that are intended to be accessible and appropriate for those living in poverty. Here we highlight three products that convert plastic waste into useful materials.
E4C Membership is a curated experience! When you become a member, we will tailor a unique user profile for you based on the way you engage with our content over time. Your actions and preferences will allow us to serve you content that is most relevant to you. In addition, becoming an E4C member grants you access to exclusive engagement opportunities and the E4C newsletter.
Join E4C and become a part of a global community that believes engineering can change the world!
Become a MemberDid you know you can customize your E4C experience? Find more of your favorite articles, webinars, events and courses when you sign up for a FREE membership. Once a member, the more content you engage with, the more relevant we can make it for you!
As a member you have access to exclusive, curated content that changes on your homepage based on what you read the most.
Membership gives you access to over a million practitioners working in global development, many of whom are looking for talent like you!
Post or peruse Job, Training & Volunteer Opportunities
Discuss & share projects in our Community Space
Members are in the know! You’ll be invited to our webinars and special events and receive access to our monthly newsletter.
